American Owned & Operated
Esco Optics is a leading manufacturer of custom and catalog optics, precision optical components, and ITAR optics in the United States.
Posted by Mike Vergo on
If you are not a regular customer, you likely came to Esco Optics via a google search. When looking at our catalog offerings you may be wondering “will this optical window or lens work in my laser experiment?” The answer could be yes, but it could also be no. The truth lies in what are you trying do and what is the power of your laser?
The difference between laser-grade and commercial-grade optics primarily lies within precision level of both polishing and finishing processes. I have had customers love the price of commercial optics, but their application really warrants laser grade, which of course, will cost more due to higher quality of the finished part. In optics, precision is everything and clear specifications exists that separates the two. For example, when you are talking about mirrors, the specifications matter across the whole surface for reflectivity. When considering transmissive optics, the center beam surface is the most important specification and less so across the whole part. The table below compares key specifications for laser grade windows.
Key Differences Between Laser-Grade and Commercial-Grade Optics
|
Laser-Grade Optics |
Commercial-Grade Optics |
Surface Roughness |
≤ 1nm RMS |
< 3nm RMS |
Scratch/Dig Specs |
10/5 - 20/10 |
40/20- 60/40 |
Wavefront accuracy |
λ/4 or better |
1λ or λ/2 |
Coating |
High-damage-threshold coatings for lasers |
Standard anti-reflection or protective coatings |
Applications |
High-power lasers, scientific research, military/defense |
Consumer electronics, general imaging, lighting |
Laser-Grade Optics
Laser-grade optics are used in highly demanding environments where precision and performance are critical. These components are typically found in applications such as scientific research, medical devices, military equipment, and high-powered laser systems.
Examples of laser-grade applications:
Commercial-Grade Optics
Commercial-grade optics are used in less demanding applications where the highest level of precision is not as critical. These components are often found in devices like consumer cameras, lighting systems, optical sensors, and general-purpose lenses.
Examples of commercial-grade applications:
Conclusion
The level of polishing and finishing determines the final quality and performance of an optic. For laser-grade optics, where precision and performance are paramount, both polishing and finishing involve extremely tight tolerances in material removal, resulting in smooth surfaces, minimal defects, and high-quality coating performance. In contrast, commercial-grade optics can tolerate more imperfections and have lower standards for surface quality and wavefront distortion making them suitable for everyday applications where ultra-high precision is not necessary. Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the right optics for your needs, whether it is for a cutting-edge laser system, or a consumer-grade optical device. Please reach out to us at Sales@EscoOptics.com for all your optical needs.
Read more from my blog series
Optical Design for Manufacturability
Optical Coatings and Cost
Esco Optics is a leading manufacturer of custom and catalog optics, precision optical components, and ITAR optics in the United States.
As the leader for military and defense optics in the United States, Esco Optics adheres to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
ITAR registered and compliant, Esco manufactures ITAR optics for all of its customers with the strictest confidentiality.